Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah

Bob Dylan adored, even envied, "Hallelujah", one of the first to recognise its power, including it in his live set in 1988. A famous anecdote has him  quizzing Cohen about how long it took to write, "Two years ! And how about your I and I song?", to which Dylan replied "about fifteen minutes".

But Cohen had lied, it was more like five years, as he grappled and toiled over 80 verses. Finally he honed it to under five minutes, and recorded it for his "Various Positions" album in 1984. But Cohen's career was at a low ebb, so his American label rejected the album, a little understandable, as it was swamped with synthesisers and 1980s production. But it was released in Europe, and he rescued " Hallelujah" in concert tours, often inserting alternate verses.

Ex Velvet Underground member John Cale was intrigued, so when he prepared to cover it for the Cohen tribute album "I'm Your Fan", he enquired after any other verses. Cohen promptly faxed fifteen pages, and Cale chose his favourite five verses, which have now become recognised as the standard lyrics. His version was stark but beautiful, just accompanied by a piano.

Jeff Buckley (son of 1960s troubadour Tim), loved this arrangement, and included it as a centrepiece of his live shows and debut album "Grace" in 1993. Accompanied by a solitary chiming guitar, it demonstrates Buckley's full vocal range. A soft and tender opening, rising to a powerful chorus, even shouting before he ends with a final angelic elongated Hallelujah. Devastating, exquisite but brittle. A whole range of emotions in six minutes.

So what does "Hallelujah" mean ? It covers the archetypal Cohen themes, religion is obviously key, including the title's rejoicing, and biblical epics of King David and Samson. Veering into love and relationships (like Samson's betrayal), music (a very meta reference to the song's chords) and then sex ("I moved in you").  Reverential but with some of Cohen's sardonic wit ("I did my best, it wasn't much") and colloquialisms ("ya" repeatedly).

Buckley opened the floodgates, as it was used (probably overused) in countless TV  & films (most notably Shrek), and a flood of new cover versions. Reaching its mainstream peak at Christmas 2008, when X-factor Alexandra Burke took an abbreviated version to number 1, just holding off  a strong campaign for Buckley at number 2.

It is hard to analyse why it is so special and appeals to so many, but perhaps because it is so flexible and open to interpretation. Stunning and heartbreaking solo, but also uplifting with a full orchestra and gospel choir. Familiar for funerals and remembrances, but also weddings and celebrations. Religious, but sexy. Solemn but witty. The four syllables of the chorus repetitive and compulsive.  

Buckley saw little of its success, dying in 1997 aged just 30. "Hallelujah" was an emotional catharsis of his Cohen's glorious final concerts,  before he passed too aged 82 in 2016. Two unique talents, inextricably linked by a timeless enigma. My all-time favourite.

Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIw0ewEsNHs

Hear Next -  Utilise Spotify and Youtube to explore an abundance of versions including kd lang, Bono, Allison Crowe, Willie Nelson, Rufus Wainwright, Regina Spektor and Damien Rice.

** The book of "Song from a Quarantine" is now available  on all Amazon sites in paperback and ebook formats.